Customers queued up to bid an emotional farewell to a popular butcher who served the Harborough district for more than 50 years

Dave Williams, 71, put down his cleaver for the last time in his Main Street shop on Saturday February 1.

And there were tears mixed with the smiles as choked-up customers queued up to bid their favourite village butcher a farewell he’ll never forget.

Dave said: “It was very emotional.

“There were a lot of hugs with people and kisses – and I got so many cards.

“I have to say I even had a few tears when I sat down with my family to read some of the messages – people have been so kind.”

The grateful great-grandad added: “I’ve been so lucky.

“I’ve done the job I’ve loved for over 50 incredible years and I’ve got a great family and we’re all in good health.

“And I’ve had the most loyal and the best army of customers over the years that anyone could wish to have.”

The amazing village story started when Dave first set up shop with his mum Mabel Williams in February 1967.

“It had been a butcher’s stretching back many years but it was shut when we moved in.

“Fleckney was just a sleepy village at the time but it already had two other butchers,” recalled the dad-of-six.

“They closed down in the next 10-12 years because we took all their trade – that’s how well me and mum did!

“My mum and dad Tom were both butchers so the life runs in my blood.

“Me and mum used to run around in her Morris 1000 van cutting up meat and serving people door-to-door in villages like Husbands Bosworth and Marston Trussell.

“I started out as an apprentice at WJ Loomes in Market Harborough when I was 15.

“I used to bike in to Harborough every day from Saddington, where we lived.

“I worked there for four years learning the job inside out before opening our shop in Fleckney.”

Dave said Mabel moved out just before he married his beloved wife Iris, now 75, in 1972.

“My dear old mum went on to look after old people here and she was 98 when she died in June 2018.

“Iris has got stuck in and helped me so much helping to run our shop behind the scenes,” said the local high street legend.

“I’m an ‘old school’ butcher.

“I’d like to think I’ve given my customers really good value for money over five decades.

“I’ve served four generations since we started out in the late 1960s.

“Grandparents, parents, children – and their children,” said Dave, who has 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“We have enjoyed so many laughs, so much fun, banter and village gossip.

“I’ve always worked hard, jumping out of bed at 4.30am to get the shop ready.

“But it’s honestly seemed more of a pastime or a hobby than a job.

“I’ve loved to talking to people I’ve come to know so well – and customers would pitch up from 15-20 miles away to buy my meat.”

Dave said he’d had “ups and downs” as he had to fight off threats to his business like mad cow disease, foot and mouth disease and animal rights protesters.

“But we’ve weathered the storms and I’ve never changed.

“I’ve always stuck to good old-fashioned meat.

“Some of the youngsters want kebabs or marinated specials but I’ve never done that,” said the keen walker and caravanner.

“I’ve given local people the best cuts of local beef, lamb and pork on their own doorsteps.

“And I’ve always dealt in cash and cheques.

“I’ve never taken a card payment in the entire 53 years we’ve been here!”

Dave paid special tribute to his stalwart number two Colin Freaks, 62.

“Colin’s a Fleckney lad through and through – and he worked here alongside me for 42 years.

“We’ve clocked up 95 years here between us and he’s really cut up that I’ve closed, devastated.

“He’s been the best assistant I could have asked for and we’ll still see plenty of each other,” vowed Dave, who lives at the shop.

“I’ve also got a customer called Mary Arnold who lives here in Fleckney and who’s been buying my meat for 52 years.

“She’s been very emotional and I feel sorry for old people who haven’t got a butcher they can walk to here any more.

“None of our children wanted to follow in my footsteps and take over the shop.

“They’ve all carved out fine careers and good luck to them.

“It’s a shame we haven’t got a butcher’s in Fleckney after all this time.

“But I couldn’t go on for ever!

“I’ve got a lifetime of golden memories to look back on and I’ve loved just about every minute.

“Now I’m looking forward to spending more time with Iris, the family and our two Norfolk terrier cross dogs and enjoying a few more holidays.”